Great Expectations eBook

No more low wet grounds, no more dykes and sluices,
no more of these grazing cattle — though they
seemed, in their dull manner, to wear a more respectful
air now, and to face round, in order that they might
stare as long as possible at the possessor of such
great expectations — farewell, monotonous acquaintances
of my childhood, henceforth I was for London and greatness:
not for smith’s work in general and for you!
I made my exultant way to the old Battery, and, lying
down there to consider the question whether Miss Havisham
intended me for Estella, fell asleep.

When I awoke, I was much surprised to find Joe sitting
beside me, smoking his pipe. He greeted me with
a cheerful smile on my opening my eyes, and said:

“As being the last time, Pip, I thought I’d
foller.”

“And Joe, I am very glad you did so.”

“Thankee, Pip.”

“You may be sure, dear Joe,” I went on,
after we had shaken hands, “that I shall never
forget you.”

“No, no, Pip!” said Joe, in a comfortable
tone, “I’m sure of that. Ay, ay,
old chap! Bless you, it were only necessary to
get it well round in a man’s mind, to be certain
on it. But it took a bit of time to get it well
round, the change come so oncommon plump; didn’t
it?”

Somehow, I was not best pleased with Joe’s being
so mightily secure of me. I should have liked
him to have betrayed emotion, or to have said, “It
does you credit, Pip,” or something of that sort.
Therefore, I made no remark on Joe’s first head:
merely saying as to his second, that the tidings
had indeed come suddenly, but that I had always wanted
to be a gentleman, and had often and often speculated
on what I would do, if I were one.

“Have you though?” said Joe. “Astonishing!”

“It’s a pity now, Joe,” said I,
“that you did not get on a little more, when
we had our lessons here; isn’t it?”

“Well, I don’t know,” returned Joe.
“I’m so awful dull. I’m only
master of my own trade. It were always a pity
as I was so awful dull; but it’s no more of
a pity now, than it was — this day twelvemonth
— don’t you see?”

What I had meant was, that when I came into my property
and was able to do something for Joe, it would have
been much more agreeable if he had been better qualified
for a rise in station. He was so perfectly innocent
of my meaning, however, that I thought I would mention
it to Biddy in preference.

So, when we had walked home and had had tea, I took
Biddy into our little garden by the side of the lane,
and, after throwing out in a general way for the elevation
of her spirits, that I should never forget her, said
I had a favour to ask of her.

“And it is, Biddy,” said I, “that
you will not omit any opportunity of helping Joe on,
a little.”

“How helping him on?” asked Biddy, with
a steady sort of glance.

“Well! Joe is a dear good fellow —
in fact, I think he is the dearest fellow that ever
lived — but he is rather backward in some things.
For instance, Biddy, in his learning and his manners.”